How stupid can they get?

The Tea Party members got elected because they thought the government was dysfunctional and the economy was tanking. Then they went out and made sure it happened.

They created the debt ceiling crisis, then handcuffed House Speaker John Boehner's efforts to work out a compromise with the president to fix it. Without their influence, and absolute insistence on holding to a pure ideology that had little basis in reality, we believe the crisis wouldn't have occurred in the first place -- and once it did, Boehner and the president could have worked out a deal that would have gone a lot further in solving the nation's debt problems that the final deal accepted by Congress.

Instead, we got half measures and the promise of a "super commission" to find a solution.

Such a bipartisan commission, created by executive order of the president in 2010, already laid the framework for a fiscally responsible government. Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo was a leading member of that commission. But the commission's work already has been rejected by Congress, largely due to opposition by Crapo's own Republican Party. That does not bode well for any success of the new super commission, meaning the "nuclear option" cuts mandated by the recent debt deal will almost certainly be triggered.

Yet, we believe the Simpson-Bowles commission proposals have considerable merit, requiring what, in the past, would have been only relatively minor negotiations to reach a compromise deal. We believe it still remains the best option put forward so far.

Of course, to make it work, Congress will have to pull its collective heads out of the sand (or some other, less desirable location) and decide that its real job is making things work, not pushing ideological agendas. The last year has not given us great confidence in its ability to do so.

In fact, only 14 percent of the American people approve of the job Congress is doing. We wonder who that 14 percent are? Relatives of Congressmen? That's 14 points higher than it ought to be.

That lack of confidence caused ONE of the three major ratings companies, Standard and Poors, to downgrade the U.S. credit rating for the first time in history. To be honest, S&P doesn't have a great track record recently for its ratings prowess. It gave AAA marks to the credit default swap packages of junk mortgages that triggered the 2008 crisis. It made a $2.1 trillion error in its analysis of the federal debt that led to the downgrade.

But Wall Street, which seems to have even less brains than Congress sometimes, immediately panicked, sending stocks tumbling.

Ironically, while investors bailed out on solid, strong companies in the United States, they ran to put their money in the safest, and most secure investments they could find -- U.S. Treasury notes, which are essentially the federal debt. Go figure.

Congress and Wall Street have once again combined to create an unnecessary economic crisis that will only hurt the little guy on Main Street.

Yet, in our opinion, our country remains essentially sound and secure. The only problem is getting people to believe it, since these days the economy seems to be driven more by psychology than economic reality.

There's plenty of blame to go around. Start with the Tea Party tail wagging the GOP dog. Then add the Congressmen owned by Wall Street that won't do anything to limit the uncontrollable overreach greed of the investment bankers who create their own house of cards, which hurts the little guys most when it comes tumbling down.

Yet behind all the greed of Wall Street and the ideological nonsense of Congress, there remains our nation's greatest strength -- the average American who just wants to go to work. If someone will let him.

If Congress and Wall Street want to make America strong again, if they really care about that (they seem to have other priorities), then they should focus on putting Americans back to work.

Then get out of the way, because it's the working American who'll restore us to greatness again.

Kelly step away from the kool-aid. I can't believe someone with your education actually blames the tea party for the mess the Republicans and Democratic politicians got us into. It was SENATOR OBAMA that was against raising the debt limit until he got the credit card from Bush (who over used it with the help of the Democratic Congress since 2006).

The Democrats from Obama, Congress, and the Senate from 2008-2010 have had the accelerator pressed to the floor and the Tea-Party just was trying to hit the brakes before the whole country goes over a cliff.

The Tea-Party has been around for about 3 years and has a dozen or so people in congress. You have to be very naive or shall we say not smart to try and blame them. Blame the carrier politicians on both sides and that includes Bush and Obama.

-- Posted by Trouble2011 on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 3:25 PM

I think there is a lot of truth in Mr. Everitt's post!

The sky is not falling.

-- Posted by DaveThompson on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 3:53 PM

The tea party is over !

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 4:03 PM

Those aren't hats. They're checking for polyps.

-- Posted by DaveThompson on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 4:27 PM

"Meanderings of the Managing Editor Kelly Everitt". This is Kelly's blog. Like all blogs on our website, it is the opinions and thoughts of the sole writer.

For a time in my life, I listened exclusively to conservative commentators like him, Limbaugh, Beck, et.al.

I grew tired of their perpetual tizzy.

I don't put too much credence in one person or source any more.

-- Posted by DaveThompson on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 5:37 PM

I even had vanity plates - DITTOHD

I kept them renewed for a few years. I kept them on the wall in my garage for many more.

I threw them out last year.

-- Posted by DaveThompson on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 5:48 PM

Come on now! LET'S HEAR IT!

-- Posted by DaveThompson on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 5:51 PM

RIGHT ON CUE!

-- Posted by DaveThompson on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 6:19 PM

It's not even fun any more.

-- Posted by DaveThompson on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 6:20 PM

A blog is one thing but an official editorial is another. The blog was copied from his editorial and used as a blog. I would respectfully disagree with his option that the Tea Party has any responsibility for the spending and debt that has been incurred over the last 11 years. The Tea Party has only been around for 3 years and just got representatives in congress this session. I bet you will see more Tea Party representatives in Congress after the next election. I see the Democrats (one car) and Republicans (another car) as being in a head on collision and then when the ambulance shows up (Tea Party) the Democrats start blaming the Paramedics for the accident. It is just plain stupid. The Republicans caved by the way as we are not cutting the debt 1 cent we just slowed the bleeding.

-- Posted by Trouble2011 on Thu, Aug 11, 2011, at 10:47 PM

I remember telling a joke about Alzheimer patients to my boss one time. I had just started a new job and didn't realize how close to home the joke was to her. Her mother was afflicted with this disease.

In all walks of life, we cannot and should not make light of the misfortunes of others. And we should never assume that everyone in an organization or political party is cut from the same cloth.

Every Day, we see evidence of this lack of respect and it is sickening. Surely after all of this time, and the comments made by us, we could realize that our very foundation is slipping away.

I am pretty disappointed with this editorial/blog, but we can expect everyone to chime in their two cents worth, whether or not they have something important to say.

The wealthy is made up of many different people who have either worked hard and made their fortunes or inherited them. They come from all races and creeds. They belong to many different persuasions, politcal parties and organizations.

We are mistaken in our rush to reply to these blogs to assume that Welfare recipients are drug-addicts, food stamp recipients just buy steaks and mentally ill people are plain lazy.

We are mistaken when we declare that any one political party is exempt from rot and corruption. We are mistaken, when we assume that conservative women are stupid and media hogs.

There is a certain hypocrisy being touted when a candidate will accept money from a fund-raiser in the amount of $38.500 and yet tell others that the other party is championing for the rich.

There is a double standard that makes the media strangely silent when women are demeaned and insulted. And children are subjected to middle-aged talk show host's sexual remarks.

And finally, it the end, it will come down to one thing. How did you choose to spend your life? Did you uplift someone or hurt them? Did you respectfully disagree, but establish a lifelong bond of friendship?

Will it really matter what political party you belong to when you die? I hardly think so. What will matter is how you made others feel and how you conducted your life.

I wonder how many of us could write reponses to blogs without calling each other or other people names. The fleas on your dog are just as annoying to others and your neighbor's dogs fleas are to you.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Fri, Aug 12, 2011, at 3:06 PM

umm,,,check the archives JD, you'll see a history/pattern.

-- Posted by MrMister on Fri, Aug 12, 2011, at 7:37 PM

The lack of mental-sobriety in this American small town/blog is frightening. As usual....

....thanks for never changing.

-- Posted by censored on Fri, Aug 12, 2011, at 8:36 PM

HOMMER.....for what it's worth please try and disuade your son from EOD there is not a more dangerous job and i mean that sincerly....Glamourous and macho but THE MOST DANGEROUS.....TRY TO GET HIM AWAY FROM THAT....

-- Posted by lamont on Fri, Aug 12, 2011, at 8:37 PM

Funny thing! We continue to ask the same question of you. Just sayin.

-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Fri, Aug 12, 2011, at 9:07 PM

HewBet:

Religion is not the same as a personal relationship with God. That being said, I don't think that most people have a clear understanding about that in their every day lives.

We don't cut each other enough slack as we stumble in the darkness of life. The nature of man doesn't change all that much each generation. What we see today was clearly visible a hundred years ago, but not as widely reported.

All through the ages, people have had some type of hierarchy to feel superior over someone else. It is easier to believe that you are smarter than the average bear, but in reality, no one is an exception to the rule.

When you look at slavery, you will notice that in order to be superior to the slaves, men had to say that they were like animals.

When you look at the holocaust, you find that Germans regarded the Jewish People, The Mentally Ill, The old and Infirm and the Gypsies as some type of animal. It made it easier to torture and kill if you could convince yourself that they were less than human.

Today, we see many examples of arrogance happening in the world. Children starve because a few people are in power prevent aid from being delivered to the really needy. We see governments staggering under the weight of debt and misuse of funds entrusted to them.

We see fear in the old people because of rash statements made by Presidents that their checks will be withheld. And blame is spread all around.

The truth is that we are all guilty of not presenting our very best foot forward. Whatever gets written or posted should be presented with the proper motives and not to incite or disparage the readers.

While reading these the past few months has been as fascinating as a car wreck. I have to conclude that it is my own personal response to posts that I have to live with. Can I go to bed at night feeling as though I made a clear statement that did not wound or rile someone?

If my answer is no, then I have failed to do what has been impressed upon me when I signed on to write a blog.

Nothing much will change unless we change the way we think and the way we respond to one another. If you are filled with some type of self-righteous superiority, you are never going to see the most obvious part of the picture.

after 50 some years of selfish behavior, the chickens have come home to roost. We have three generations of children that have never had to do without. We have three generations of children who don't even know who their fathers are. We have three generations of children who have no clue about our history.

Whether anyone likes it or not, this Country was based on Christian Principles. No one is perfect and no one should be left out, but we cannot make life fair for everyone at the same time.

The rancher and the sheep farmer can exist side by side. Maybe some days, they won't like it much, but it is very possible that the Rancher will enjoy mutton stew on occasion and the Sheep Farmer will enjoy a good steak.

After losing such a dear friend and the possibility of losing a beloved cousin, I am concluding that life is too short to be rude, hateful and accusatory.

I read a book once years ago and the author's mother was a wise Swedish woman who stressed to her daughter to keep short accounts with God.

I fail at that most times and my heart is filled with remorse if I lose my temper.

Some days, it is more simple to keep your mouth shut and allow someone else to run theirs. Part of a debate is concluding that beating a dead horse is a pointless exercise.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Fri, Aug 12, 2011, at 10:13 PM

When it comes to placing blame for the mess we are in, there are in fact more than enough places to put the blame. When it comes to a mess this size, then blame must be placed from the bottom up. This whole mess has become so enormous and out of control from 3 decades of neglect, that there is really only one place to put all the blame. Go look in the mirror, everyone! What you see looking back is the person who owns part of the blame. We the people have done a lousy job in selecting those who represent us. For 3 decades we have failed to hold their feet to the fire and hold them accountable. When our government was finally running a "surplus", which meant they were only stealing from the trust funds, not really borrowing money, what did we allow to happen? What did we clamor for? What stupid and foolish notion did we buy into?

I'll tell you what we bought into. It's the people's money, at the rate we are collecting this money we will have a 1 trillion dollar surplus in 10 years. And we bought it. Never was it mentioned anywhere even the concept of paying down the national debt. Nowhere was it ever mentioned building a rainy day fund. All people saw were dollar signs headed in their direction from the hated federal government. Money that was rightly due to those who hold our debt. We have become so used to living in debt, that it has become a way of life. While it's true a group of freshmen members of our congress finally stood up and said this was insane, their solution was as insane or more so. Either shut down the federal government or default on our debt, which would make us a country on LIARS and CHEATS.

Now what we hear is cut the entitlements. Social Security an entitlement? I think not! We paid into that trust fund for all of our working years, and had it been managed right there would be more than enough money. Medicare? Same situation. Veteran's benefits? Those benefits were paid for by the BLOOD of our service members. HANDS OFF! Defense spending is not an entitlement; it is discretionary spending as is the rest of the budget!

That being said, and given the size of our debt, we need a plan. A real plan. A plan with real numbers.

Cutting spending and hoping that our income will rise fast enough to pay off a debt the size of ours is insanity! Our income MUST rise in a very short period of time in order to pay off this debt. It is NOT enough to stop spending money we don't have! Stop and think about it. Just who are we beholden to these days? The number one holder of our debt is the Chinese government. Add to that mix, the Russians. Feeling uncomfortable yet? Good. You should.

How do we raise income? By creating a fair and equitable tax system. A tax system where if a company doesn't create REAL jobs here, pays a higher tax rate than those who do create jobs. If they only create assembly jobs but still make the parts overseas, not as high a tax as those who just take our money.

In other words, if you are going to take our money out of the country and not create REAL jobs, then you will pay for it! I'm sorry but selling goods to each other is not a real job in economic reality. It's a shell game. Real jobs are where a product is made, then sold to a consumer.

Every person and company will pay the same rate of tax with no write offs or exemptions. When the debt is paid off and the rainy day fund equal to the budget for one year is fully in place, then the rate of the tax can be lowered. Not one day sooner! Let us become the holders of other countries debt, if we consider it a safe investment. Let them be beholden to us.

Those who will scream the loudest at this plan are the ones who hold our debt. They love the revenue stream it creates. We are bleeding ourselves to death.

Yeah i agree with the first two posts. Is this guy seriously the editor for Mtn. Homes news paper? Cause if so its time for a new one.

-- Posted by shockwave on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 9:56 AM

Homer, I can't remember which blog I posted this idea to, but I said more or less to replace all 435 representative's and all the senators who are up for election who refuse to completely embrace the commitment to a balanced budget, paying off the national debt and funding a rainy day fund. As I stated in this blog, the blame for this mess we are in lays completely in our lap. We voted to put them there for 3 decades and never held their feet to the fire. They would throw us a bone of some type when they felt the need to shut us up. We MUST stop looking at the here and now, and truly look forward. This whole immediate gratification thing is what has gotten us where we are today. You know how I feel about all 537 persons that now reside in D.C. Since Ross Perot, no politician that has run has passed my Stick Test. Absolutely no one I could fully support.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 10:18 AM

Meant Stink Test.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 10:20 AM

I watched the debate and I was impressed, much better then the first debate. The host asked some interesting questions and most answered how we wanted them to answer with out beating their drum.

I liked Ron Paul and it was hard not to like Gingrich. I thought they all did good.

I'm waiting to hear how that Straw Poll In Iowa comes out today

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 11:15 AM

HewBet

Gingrich won't be getting my vote, but I liked the way he answered some of the questions.

It was a good debate as you will see when you watch it. It didn't put me to sleep lol !

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 12:05 PM

Ron Paul wants to get the government involved where it has NO business. Our bedrooms and what we do with our bodies is no one business. DO NOT IMPOSE YOUR POINT OF VIEW ON THE REST OF THE COUNTRY AS TO WHEN LIFE BEGINS. He fails the Stink Test.

Homer, Just where do you propose to find enough revenue to balance the budget, pay off the national debt and fund a rainy day fund?

It was the price paid to deregulate the airline industry. Thank politics. Just another big ol piece of PORK!

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 3:09 PM

As to abortion, the ultimate judge of right and wrong is not on this earth, and to the best of my knowledge hasn't given the power to judge to any human being.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 3:11 PM

And to everyone, not a single person running for anything has even addressed paying off the national debt, the 800 pound elephant in the room everyone ignores. Sad and sick at the same time.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 3:14 PM

Your right.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 3:26 PM

I can not support a man who endorses restricting where a religion can build or expand a house of worship. He really fails the stink test!

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 4:06 PM

I agree with you on that one Roy... He won't make it anyway. Zook you won't vote for Obama and in the 2008 election I think you said you didn't vote for McCain because he's a RINO, so that means you didn't vote. I don't think you will be voting 2012 either..... :)

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 4:12 PM

My wrong I just remembered you did vote .........not for McCain but for Palin

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 4:33 PM

Look who came out on top today with the Straw Vote In Iowa. Plus Perry joined the race today and put on a good speech but how much of it was true?

-- Posted by Eagle_eye on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 5:56 PM

That was a surprise ! I don't understand if they say Romney is the front runner, why did he get such low numbers today in the straw poll?

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 6:42 PM

Like I said Hewbet speechs don't mean much now or even later closer to the election, need to weed down those running and see who's left come closer to Nov 2012, then we see what to pick from and even then how many will tell the truth or say anything to get elected then do as they please which has been going on. Same old story say what the public wants to hear then elected just go about the same old crap.

-- Posted by Eagle_eye on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 7:35 PM

And that's why I keep harping on looking at the whole person, not the party. Look at what they have done in the past, a very good indicator of the future. The only one so far that has held to his principles is Ron Paul. I can't get behind his stand on abortion, but other than that he seems to get the idea. I would love to ask each and every one of them how they propose to pay off the national debt and prevent it from ever happening again. The one with the right answer gets my vote.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 7:43 PM

The game is changing. People don't want to hear their speeches bashing Obama or incumbents. They want to know what will they do to change things, like how will they create jobs and get the debt down, what programs will they cut....etc

I think we might just be seeing new politics

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Aug 13, 2011, at 7:47 PM

Well, here might be part of the answer. Service based jobs and GOVERNMENT jobs.

Mike, to take back the Senate and White House and give them back to the same irresponsible fools of the other party that started 2 unfunded police actions AND spent like Democrats is down right foolhardy. We the people must stop looking at just the D or R after a candidates name and really find out what they stand for. I am sick and tired of vague promises and hot button rhetoric. I want a real plan, with real numbers and a firm time frame. I want them to swear an oath to keep their hands off Social Security, Medicare and Veterans benefits. I want them to take a responsible approach to solving the financial mess BOTH parties have created and that we the people have let happen by blindly following a letter after a candidates name. I want big business and lobbyist out of our government. I want the crooks on Wall Street thrown in jail where the belong. I want real manufacturing jobs brought back here by WHATEVER means needed. As far as I'm concerned there isn't a single person out there running for office that is willing to make all the above happen and there are too many people that are willing to blindly vote by just D or R.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 9:24 AM

Homer, I never said on this blog anything about a 3rd party. I talked about blindly giving your vote based on a D or R.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 9:52 AM

Sounds good to me. More straight talk, less you know what.

Good morning Wayne.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 10:45 AM

Mike, I've seen the same from Republicans. I know many republicans who held their noses when they voted for Labrdor, rather than vote for Minick.

Reason, Minick is a D

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 1:29 PM

They honestly thought Minick was the better candidate. They just couldn't vote for a D. So very sad.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 2:20 PM

Sorry Homer, it says a medicare tax, not sales tax.

And it doesn't apply to everyone. Please re-read it.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 6:27 PM

So tell me Homer, do you advocate the U.S.A. welshing on it's legal debts?

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 6:30 PM

Well Mike, the CONSERVATIVES over here think he is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 6:33 PM

More misinformation and half-truths being spread via E-mail. I find it utterly amazing that so many intelligent people, who profess to being tired of being led around by the nose, will just blindly forward received e-mails to everyone in their address book without even attempting to find out if it's true or not. Voters need to know the truth, not be swayed by scare tactics.

The only time this tax will kick in is if you realize a capital gain of $250,000 per individual, or $500,000 per couple from the sale of a home. Then, it's only applied to the amount above these thresholds.

In other words, a couple who sold their home would be subject to the 3.8% tax only if they made a profit of at least $500,000 on the sale, and the tax would apply only to the portion of that profit in excess of $500,000. That's gain, not sale proceeds.

Given that the existing home sale capital gains exclusion on a principal residence ($250,000 allowable gain for individuals, or $500,000 for

couples) still stands and no Medicare tax will apply for gains within those limits, the bill's definition of "high earners" encompasses less than 5 percent of all taxpayers. The median sales price of existing single-family homes in the U.S. was only $170,700 in March 2010, the Medicare tax will likely affect only a small percentage of home sellers when it is implemented in 2013.

MtnHomer, once again you miss the point of my post. Please keep in mind that on this blog i'm not taking sides or defending any point of view. The entire purpose was to refute the veracity of the home sale tax e-mail. That's it.

The information contained in the post was misinformation, half-truths and designed to misleed and scare the reader into thinking that they will incur the tax if they sell their home on 2 Jan 2013 for $200,000. That's not true.

Can you honestly say, that after doing the research that i'm sure you did into this issue, that the E-mail as written is completely true?

-- Posted by Amuzeme on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 8:49 PM

My point was not to refute whether it is a tax. It is. The point was to refute the claim that "anyone" who sold a home in 2013 would incur the tax. That's it, nothing more...nothing less. Any of the links that i posted clearly shows that isn't the case. The examples given in the E-mail:

(Under the new health care bill all real estate transactions will be subject to a 3.8% Sales Tax.)

(Did you know that if you sell your house after 2012 you will pay a 3.8% sales tax on it? That's $3,800 on a $100,000 home, etc. When did this happen? It's in the health care bill and goes into effect in 2013.) are wrong and misleading.

-- Posted by Amuzeme on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 9:06 PM

Homer, I never said it wasn't a tax. And I never endorsed it. Did I? Putting words in my mouth are we?

Sorry Homer, it says a medicare tax, not sales tax.

And it doesn't apply to everyone. Please re-read it.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 6:27 PM

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 9:40 PM

Mike, Labrador. Sorry for not being specific.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 9:43 PM

Homer, YOU KNOW DARN GOOD AND WELL HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE SPENDING GOING ON RIGHT NOW!!!!

HOW DARE YOU MAKE THE STATEMENT YOU MADE?

"Roy, what about we cannot spend like we've been spending isn't quite getting through to you? This isn't about "welching" on a committment at all. This is MORE redistribution of wealth. Sorry you can't see it."

WHO DO YOU THINK HAS NOT ONLY BEEFED ABOUT THE SPENDING, BUT HAS PUSHED FOR A BALANCED BUDGET, A RAINY DAY FUND AND PAYING OFF THE NATIONAL DEBT?

MY BEEF WITH YOU RIGHT NOW IS YOUR INABILITY TO ACCURATELY STATE SUPPOSED FACTS!! A SALES TAX IS ONE THING. A MEDICARE TAX IS ANOTHER. A TAX ON ALL HOME SALES IS ONE THING. A TAX ON CAPITAL GAINS OVER A CERTAIN AMOUNT IS ANOTHER! GET A GRIP!!!!

QUITE FRANKLY I AM BEGINNING TO DOUBT YOUR ABILITY TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REALITY AND FANTASY.

I HAVE BEEN VERY TOLERANT SO FAR, BUT YOU ARE TAKING THINGS TO AN UNACCEPTABLE LEVEL!

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 9:53 PM

Bazooka,

Let's forget all the rhetoric and blustering and stick to a simple question. The same question i asked MtnHomer that has yet to be answered. Can you honestly say, that the E-mail as written is completely true? Please, no rants. Just a simple yes or no.

-- Posted by Amuzeme on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 10:28 PM

Here's a link to factcheck if you want to check out homer's lengthy post starting with

Near the beginning of your post I seen factcheck.org (not a link) but at the bottom of your post you provided a link however it wasn't factcheck.org and since we are talking about facts I posted the link

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 11:38 PM

Really MtnHomer? Just for me...I'm honored. I can tell how difficult it was for you to post your "Correction" so i'll just let it speak for itself.

-- Posted by Amuzeme on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 11:43 PM

Homer,

"So because it doesn't apply to everyone, am I to assume you're OK with it, roy? You're OK with it because it doesn't apply to YOU? Is THAT it?

What you're not seeing here is we have, at our doorstep, another tax on a slippery slope disguised under Obamacare. How's THAT for reality, roy? I guess you just think it's just Old Homer, spouting fantasy again, right?

In your rant you didn't answer the question I posed, roy. And that question was, who do you suppose will come under the radar next, when these clowns in office realize that taxing just the top 5% of the wealthy in this country isn't going to allow them to keep up their foolish and wasteful spending habits? Why, it'll be the middle class, won't it?

Like I said, flower it up all you want to, it's STILL a tax, one that will negatively impact the private sector, jobs, and our economy over the long run. How's that for reality, roy?

-- Posted by MtnHomer on Sun, Aug 14, 2011, at 10:31 PM"

You never asked asked me any of the questions you list above, but I will answer them now. But before that remember what the word assume makes of a person. I would spell it out but Brenda would kill this post. Now to your answers. I never endorsed such a tax, I answered that already. I have never endorsed the concept of adding more tax to the wealthy. What I have endorsed is a new tax code that has NO loopholes and no exemptions. How hard is that for you to understand? Really Homer get a grip.

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 6:38 AM

By the way Homer, if your wondering why it took so long for me to answer you, it's because I had to go to bed so I could get up this morning and go to my JOB!

He makes it VERY clear that the wealthy do not pay their fair share, and backs it up with REAL numbers!! Dear god he must be some kind of closet communist or socialist. RIGHT?

Read VERY carefully the second paragraph. He minces NO WORDS!

-- Posted by royincaldwell on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 6:49 AM

COMPANY'S ARE USING TAX RATES AS AN EXCUSE TO LEAVE.....they are really after cheap labor without regulation,cheap labor is rampant in the country's they go to.

It is amazing that this argument about the tax takes place...how come it doesnt take place when the right tags on a law or a repeal etc.IT IS AS IF EVERYTHING THE RIGHT DOES IS OK AND EVERY THING THE LEFT DOES IS WRONG...Also the frontal attack on labor unions and public education will devastate the economy far worst than than this tax and the right see's that as ok.I do not see were other than attempting to justify this systematic attack on the working part of the society were this is comming from.

The half truths in the post on the tax was enough for me,that is not unusual it happens all the time....what i dont like for sure is why we have to be name called for pointing it out.That shows a lack of listening to anything but what you want to hear.

DEAF,DUMB,BLIND,IDIOTS,CLUELESS,IDOLS,PRIDE,SHAME,I have been watching a lot of documentary's lately and the things that are posted here by some people rise to and alarming coincidence to the rehtoric used to incite the masses for ww2 in japan,germany,and italy,the rehtoric is the same ,kinda scary.With that said I really take issue with people who question wether i am and American based on wether i like there ideology or not.So what your saying is if you are a liberal you are not and american and if you are you should be locked up or better yet shot.You can deny that because you didnt use those words but that is what you are advocating.I contend that when you take a stand like that you need to question your own americanism not the liberals,talk about a rote autocratic ideology that is the epitomy.

In short what gives the right the right to question anyones patriotism or americanism the way you do???????? I for one stop listening when you do that,and yes it is sedition and treasonous.

-- Posted by lamont on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 9:23 AM

From your links Homer

Business owners struggling with high taxes, high operational and labor costs and numerous regulations are receptive candidates for a move.

Companies that outsource often site cost as the top reason.

Halliburton: Houston-based Halliburton, which offers a broad array of oil-field technologies and services to upstream oil and gas customers worldwide, announced the opening of a corporate headquarters in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai on March 12, 2007. The company, which was once led by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, said that its relocation was part of a strategy that it announced in mid-2006 to concentrate its efforts in the Middle East in order to attract business.

Foster Wheeler Ltd.: The engineering firm Foster Wheeler moved its corporate headquarters to Bermuda in 2001, when the company was headed toward bankruptcy. Nearly 70 percent of Foster Wheeler's business comes from its international operations, and the move to Bermuda enabled the company to avoid paying taxes on income that it earned outside of the U.S. Most of the company's main offices remain in New Jersey.

Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ltd.: This New Jersey-based company, which manufactures Thermo King refrigerated trucks, also moved to Bermuda in 2001. In 2007, the company faced an IRS (Internal Revenue Service) audit over the way it classified some debt in its reincorporation in Bermuda in 2002.

Tyco International Ltd.: Manufacturers and providers of services in health care, flow control, security, telecommunications and electronics, Tyco International reincorporated in Bermuda in 1997. In 2002, Tyco International's chairman and CEO, L. Dennis Kozlowski, was indicted on charges that he had evaded more than $1 million in New York sales taxes.

Noble Drilling Services Inc.: Noble, the fourth-largest U.S. offshore oil and natural-gas driller, calls the Cayman Islands home but operates out of Sugar Land, Texas. In 2002, the U.S. started a campaign to remove Noble and nine other American companies with offshore headquarters from the Standard & Poor's 500 index.

# Nabors Industries Ltd.: Nabors Industries, the world's biggest onshore oil and gas-drilling contractor, moved from Texas to Bermuda and Barbados in 2002. Nabors Industries apparently reported $428.4 million in profit in the U.S. in 2005 and would have paid $86 million in taxes on that money.

U.S. companies will surely continue to seek tax shelter in other countries, but only time will tell if they'll be able to get away with this scheme.

From your last link: Most companys are moving from one state to another within the USA

Amonix Inc.: This Seal Beach company plans to build a $20 million factory in the Las Vegas area that will employ about 280 workers to build photovoltaic solar panels. This is a story of our tax dollars at work. According to Associated Press, "Amonix got $9.5 million in investment tax credits this year from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

APL, a subsidiary of Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. of Singapore (and formerly known as American President Lines Ltd.),relocated their U.S. H.Q. from Oakland to Phoenix and their Long Beach Logistics Department to Colorado. It is unclear how many jobs are involved and how many are yet to be moved in 2010. The company employed between 300 and 400 people in Oakland. The San Francisco Business Times reported that "The relocation to Arizona is one of a series of cost-saving measures

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 9:49 AM

Point is that Most had other reasons for leaving and your last link showed business's moving from one state to another.......What was your point on the last link?

2nd link is misleading when it says "10 Big Businesses That Have Moved Their Headquarters Abroad to Pay Less U.S. Taxes" Because as you read you find out they moved for other reasons besides avoiding to pay tax.

3rd link is all about moving to another state

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 10:20 AM

You just like to argue homer.

Misleading by saying they were only moving out of the USA because of taxes when actually there was more reasons than taxes. GREED is one that comes to mind. When big corporations make more then enough money to pay taxes here, AND they move out because labor is cheaper I call that GREED.

What company has more money on cash then our country has? And they can't afford to pay higher taxes......Give me a break!

I need to get to work because unlike others I produce my products to sell right here and pay my share of taxes on them. Mine are made in the USA ! And I ship world wide !

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 11:10 AM

I got this from a friend, I haven't had time to check it out but I wanted to get it posted on here

Top 400 Wealthy Americans in 1992 paid 29.2% In taxes and in 2008 they paid 21.5%

Warren Buffet pays 17.4% taxes while 20 of his employees pay 36%

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 12:33 PM

ZOOK......That is not what i am talking about.every post if i am a liberal i am being called a name,why? Every post if i am a liberal or a dem i am being called a name Why?...I dont see that happening to you and i certainly dont do it unless attacked.Now if you want to call those people in D>C> names go for it.But i ask this question do you call our senators and congress people idiots when you write them letters??If you dont maybe you should.

HOMMER i dont care about your opinion your entitled to it,and in no way did i try to tell you or anyone they were not entitled to it.But ZOOK did not sound like he was RANTING at D.C. LETS JUST SAY KEEP IT OUT OF TOWN.....AND THE BLOG STAYS CALMN......WHEN IT STATES YOU....thats in town...... YOU PEOPLE...... THATS IN TOWN AND PERSONAL......THEY>>>>>>>>>THATS OUT OF TOWN AND GENERIC.......I DONT KNOW WHO THEY ARE, AND CAN IF I WANT ASK FOR CLARIFICATION.YOU IS SPECIFIC AND PERSONAL AND WILL BE ANSWERED AS SUCH.

THE whole thing of the name calling rants makes no sense.You make it personal and then you expect it is ok IT IS NOT. HOW SOMEONE FEELS DOES NOT AND AMERICAN MAKE,QUESTIONING PEOPLES PATRIOTISM BASED ON YOUR PERCEPTION WITH OUT INVESTIGATION IS A RECIPE FOR DESASTER AS A WHOLE.

SOME people like ME will react very VIOLENTLY WHEN SOMONE QUESTIONS THERE PATRIOTISM.......specifically if its because i dont see it 100% there way.......some need to watch the documentary's i have been watching.ILL say it again....i will not subscribe to an ULTRA RIGHT GOVERNMENT.......I SEE FIRING SQUADS,CONCENTRATION CAMPS AND ENSLAVEMENT THATS WHAT I SEE........... CONVINCE ME I AM WRONG

-- Posted by lamont on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 8:20 PM

Homer

Your words

That's it, MsM! Scream LOUDLY it was a YELLOW DOG, NOT A BLACK DOG!!!!

Sounds like you were encouraging an argument...

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 9:15 PM

SO....why the argument??? They move because of high taxes and cheap labor......I would say you see it as the priority hits you.ME I WANT TO SAY CHEAP LABOR FIRST...SOMEONE WILL SAY HIGH TAXES ......ANSWER BOTH.

THEY WANT TO GO ALRIGHT LET THEM PAY THE SAME TAXES AS AND IMPORT,INSTEAD OF AND AMERICAN CO WHICH THEY CEASE TO BE WHEN THEY EXPORT OUR JOBS.Whats wrong about that???????If we are going to spend money let us give those tax incentives to those who create jobs HERE and only HERE....NATIONAL ALLEGIANCE.....HOW IS THAT FOR PATRIOTISM ?????????? LETS QUESTION THOSE CO'S PATRIOTISM.....WHAT SAY YOU??????

-- Posted by lamont on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 10:00 PM

You need to go back and reread where I said it wasn't just high taxes why company's are leaving. Those links you gave went into more detail of reasons why they were leaving.

The only personal opinion I gave was saying the big corporations were also moving because of GREED.

What link of yours does it say High Taxes is the NUMBER ONE REASON some of the company's are leaving? or is that to small a detail for you?

And if you can't see other reasons why they are leaving, then go have another gulp of YOUR koolaid!

oh and I don't need to be proven right........ all I wanted to do is clear up taxes weren't the only reason companys move overseas

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 10:12 PM

Homer if your name was the first on the list of bloggers does that mean your the number 1 blogger?

Why do U.S. companies relocate their plants overseas, thereby abolishing U.S. jobs? (a) they can hire workers at very low wages (such as 30 cents an hour in China), (b) the companies don't have to pay any employee benefits, (c) they don't have to comply with safety and environmental regulations, (d) they don't have to pay foreign taxes when they export their products back to us.

The correct answer is all of the above. The U.S. cannot require foreign governments to impose a minimum wage or safety regulations, or pay employee benefits. But the U.S. can and should do something about (d), the huge tax-rebate racket that lures U.S. companies to lay off American workers and set up shop in foreign countries.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Aug 15, 2011, at 11:00 PM

I would just like to point out something briefly:

When judging whether the Mountain Home News is a unbiased news source DON'T READ THE EDITORIALS.

Editorial sections are for opinion. They are not meant to be read as "News."

So no, if Kelly feels a certain way, he's not allowed to slant his hard news writing that way. But if he puts it in the editorial section (still read: OPINION) then that cannot be use to determine the bias of the publication.

-- Posted by lilmissmelmo on Tue, Aug 16, 2011, at 6:44 AM

CJW.....the line of profit outline is great except.......there is a group of people who are left to die.......the workers of america......they too have a stake here,based on our cost of living they must make X amount of money.....so what is going to be the solution ???? DOES THE COST OF LIVING GO DOWN ?DO WE STOP MAKING VEHICLES THAT COST $40.THOUSAND.DOES HEALTH CARE GO DOWN OR DO YOU DIE??? EVERYBODY DOES NOT SHARE IN THIS UTOPIA OF MAKING AS MUCH MONEY AS WE CAN.....WE ARE PRICING OURSELFES FROM ALL PARTS OF OUR SOCIETY OUT OF THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING BUSINESS.THIS CHARGE WHAT THE MARKET WILL BEAR AND HOLD THE LINE IS KILLING US.So CJW ....what is the answer ??????? this is not the 1700 hundreds this is a different time, nation and world.WORLD COMPETITION IS DIFFERENT ....so old rules were for then when they were written what about NOW.??????? SUGGESTIONS ???????????

-- Posted by lamont on Tue, Aug 16, 2011, at 10:46 AM

I wasnt trying to be snide or anything like that......I to have worked 2 or more jobs to make it...at one time i was on active duty,bartended,and played music just to make ends meet when i wasnt meeting myself in the door.RETIRED AND HAD MULTIPLE BUSENESS AT THE SAME TIME,So I know were business is comming from and were the worker is comming from.......i am saying BOTH sides of the issue are putting themselves in nontenable positions because they are both dealing with rules that have little application today.AS WE CONTINUE TO DEMAND MORE FOR PRODUCTS AND GOODS THE PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING MORE IN WAGES TO BUY THEM AND THE VICIOUS CIRCLE KEEPS TURNING.Somehow someway there has to be a point that it ceases.Growth is good but when one side outways the other we are headed for trouble.....and that is were we are going.HOUSING,VEHICLES,FOOD,CLOTHES ETC, ARE OVERPRICED AND WE ARE PAYING WHAT THE MARKET IS FORCEing us to pay.Profits are up and we still want more for less and the worker, you are being left behind. I like you am looking for answers not and argument.So if you took something wrong i am sorry it wasnt meant that way.